897 Florence

Huntingdon

Simeon

intermission and enter the city of Legions, called in Saxon Legeceastre, at that time deserted, before the army of Elfred and the underking Ethered, who were following, could overtake them. Some of them, however, they took and put to death, re-taking all the sheep and oxen which they had gained by plunder they then besieged the city two days, and gave some of the standing corn to their horses, burning the rest. All this was done after the revolution of one

year from the time when they had left the coasts of Gaul, and entered the mouth of the Limene.

895.

The before-named army of the pagans, not having the means of subsistence-for the Christians had taken every thing from thementer the land of the Southern Britons, and devastating

In the 23rd year of king
Alfred, the Danes, who were
in Leicester, went round
through North Wales and
Northumberland to Mersey,
an island in Essex.

it far and wide, carry off with them a very great booty. And, because they did not dare to return through Mercia for fear of the Mercians, they went first through Northumberland, then through the Mediterranean Angles, and having taken their wives and ships in East-Anglia, entered an island called Meresig situated on the sea-coast in the eastern part of East-Saxony. Afterwards, roused by the sufferings of his men aforesaid, he [ALFRED] reached Exeter, & the pagans terrified at his coming, fled to their ships, and so returning to their seats, near the city which is called in English Cissaceastre, in the province of the

But the army that had be-
sieged Exeter, was caught
plundering near Ciceastre,
where they lost many of their
men, and lost some of their
ships.

The aforesaid army which besieged Exancestre, ravaged every thing round Cissacestre. But not long after they were put to the rout by those who were in the city, many of them were slain, and many of their ships were taken.

South-Saxons, they carried off booty. But being routed by the inhabitants of that city, the greater part of them were wounded or slain, and many of their ships taken.

2 896.

1 In the same year they drew their ships up the river Thames, and afterwards up the river Ligea, and began to build for themselves a fortress near the river, 20 miles from London.

In the following year, the army that was on the river Lee,
made a camp near that same river, 20 miles from London.
1 And afterwards, in the winter, they drew their ships up the
Thames into the river Luye [Lea].
But the Londoners came to that camp, and fighting with
the Danes, slew 4 of their leaders, and Almighty God
at a timely moment gave the victory to his true followers.
When the Danes had fled into their camp, the king
caused the water of the Lea to be divided into three arms,
that they might not be able to convey back their ships on
it. The Danes, perceiving this, left their ships, and went as
far as Quadruge near the Severn, and there made a camp, and
wintered on the spot: having sent their wives for safety into
East-Anglia. The king with his army pursued them.
But the Londoners carried to London some of their ships
which they had left, and burnt the rest.

In the summer-time, a great
part of the citizens of Lon-
don, and many from the
neighbouring places, endea-
vour to destroy the fortress
which the pagans had made
for themselves, but their re-
sistance was so great, that
the Christians are put to
flight and four of king Al-
fred's officers are slain. But the king himself, in the autumn, measured out his camp not far
from the city, in order to prevent the pagans from carrying off the crops of the provincials.
But one day as the king was riding along the river's bank, he considered where he could
find a favorable place for blocking up the river, that the Danes might not be able
to extricate their ships; and without delay, he ordered his men to begin making a
barrier on both sides of the river. When the pagans perceived this, they again committed
their wives to the care of the East-Anglians, and leaving their ships, went on
foot a rapid march to a place called Quatbricg, and having built for themselves a fortress,
they passed the winter there. Meanwhile the Londoners carried some of their ships to
London and broke up the rest.

897.

years was it much more broken down by the mortality which broke out among cattle and among men, and most of all by this, that many of the most eminent king's-thanes in the land died during the three years: some of whom were, Swithulf bishop of Rochester, and Ceolmund alderman of Kent, and Beorhtulf alderman of Essex, and Wulfred alderman of Hamtunshire, and Ealheard bishop of Dorchester, and Eadulf the king's-thane in Sussex, and Beornwulf the wic-reeve' at Winchester, and Ecgulf the king's horse-thane, and many also besides these, though I have named the most famous. That same year the armies from among the East-Anglians and from among the North-humbrians harassed the land of the West-Saxons, chiefly on the south coast, by predatory bands; most of all by their æscs,' which they had built many years before. Then king Alfred commanded long ships to be built to oppose the æscs; they were full-nigh twice as long as the others; some had sixty oars, and some had more: they were both swifter and steadier, and also higher than the others. They were shapen neither like the Frisian nor the Danish, but so as it seemed to him that they would be most efficient. Then some time in the same year, there came six ships to Wight, and there did much harm, as well as in Devon, and elsewhere along the seacoast. Then the king commanded nine of the new ships to go thither, and they obstructed their passage from the port towards the outer sea. Then went they with three of their ships out against them; and three lay in the upper part of the port in the dry; the men were gone from them ashore. Then took they two of the three ships at the outer part of the port, and killed the men, and the other ship escaped; in that also the men were killed except five: they got away because the other ships were aground. They also were aground very disadvantageously: three lay aground on that side of the deep on which the Danish ships were aground, and all the rest upon the other side, so that no one of them could get to the others. But when the water had ebbed many furlongs from the ships, then the Danish-men went from their three ships to the other three which were left by the tide on their side, and then they there fought against them. There was slain Lucumon the king's reeve, and Wulfheard the Frisian, and Æbbe the Frisian, and Æthelhere the Frisian, and Æthelferth the king's geneat, and of all the men, Frisians and English, seventy-two; and of the Danish-men one hundred and twenty. Then, however, the flood-tide came to the Danish ships before the Christians could shove theirs off, and they therefore rowed them out nevertheless, they were damaged to such a degree that they could not row round the Sussex land; and there the sea cast two of them on shore, and the men were led to the king at Winchester; and he commanded them to be there hanged and the men who were in the single ship came to East-Anglia, sorely wounded. That same summer no less than twenty ships, with their crews, wholly perished upon the south coast. That same year died Wulfric, the king's horse-thane; he was also 'Wealh-reeve.'

An. 898.

The emperor Arnulf died,
and Louis his son was raised

Meanwhile, after four years from the time that the abovenamed king died, there was a great discord among the English, because the foul bands of the Danes still remained throughout Northumberland.

to be king. In the same year Rollo with his army besieged the city of Chartres, but the bishop of that same city, named Walthelm, a most religious man, called Richard duke of Burgundy and Ebal count of Poictiers to his help, and bearing in his hands the shift of the blessed Virgin Mary, he drove back duke Rollo by the divine will, and freed the city.

129. 2. Another of WERFRITH,
without a date, is at II, 131. 3.
A third, of King ALFRED, and sub-

scribed "Signum Ædwardi filii regis," at 11, 130, has no date, but must belong to some year about this time,

In the summer-time; the army of the pagans, which had wintered at Quatbricge, went partly to East-Anglia, partly to Northumberland. Some of them remained there but others, getting possession of some ships, went to the river Seine before-mentioned. O with what frequent vexations, with how severe sufferings, in what a dreadful and lamentable manner, was all England annoyed, not only by the Danes, who had then occupied the parts of England, but also by those children of Satan. But it suffered much more, for three years, by a murrain among the cattle, and the death of noble men, who about that time departed this life. Among whom was Suithulf prelate of the church of Rochester, Ealheard bishop of Dorchester, Ceolmund duke of Kent,_ Beorhtulf duke of Essex, Eadulf the king's officer in Sussex, Beornulf provost of Winchester, Ecgulf the king's strator, and many others, but these were the most noble.

In the same year, the army of the pagans, settled in EastAnglia and Northumberland, carrying off booty along the sea-coasts, severely harassed the land of the West-Saxons, mostly in long and swift galleys, which themselves had made some years before. To oppose these other ships were made by Alfred's orders, twice as long, higher, swifter and less shaky, so as to beat the above-named ships of the enemy in strength. When

rest.

Thus, during the three years
aforesaid, namely from the time that the Danes had
entered the port of Limene, these did much harm to the
English, but themselves suffered much greater harm.
But in the 4th year, the army was divided: some went into
Northumberland, some into East-Anglia, and others
crossing the sea, entered the Seine.

But afterwards, some ships of the Danes came near the
shores of Wessex, and making frequent invasions, at
one time plundering, and at another fighting, they did no
small damage to the provincials of Wessex.

Of the many fights that then took place, I will relate one,
as having been attended with an unusual issue.
King Alfred caused some long ships, of 40 oars or more,
to be got ready against the aforesaid ships of the Danes.
And whilst six of the Danish ships were lying somewhere
on the coast of Devonshire, they were surprised by nine
of the king's ships. The Danes seeing this, moved
against them with three only of their ships, for the other
three were stranded and could not move because the tide
was out. Six ships, therefore, of the English fought against
three of the Danes: whilst the other three went against
the three Danish ships that were stranded. The three
Danish ships fought long and desperately against the six;
but numbers at last prevailed, and two of the Danes were
taken; the third fled, after all her crew had been killed
except five. This being done, when the English wished to
return to their companions which were near the Danish
ships on the opposite shore, they were stranded; and the Danes
seeing this, left their own ships and fought against the
English who were in the three ships. Then might you have
seen the English people of the six ships looking at the
battle, and unable to bear them help, beating their
breasts with their hands, and tearing their hair with their
nails. The English fought manfully, and the Danes
bravely attacked them. Forty two Eaglishmen were
slain, and 120 of the Danes. But the Danes slew Luche-
man the commander of the king's fleet who pressed upon
them too boldly; on which account the English
gave way a little, and the Danes almost seemed to be
victorious. But, lo! the tide came up, and floated the
vessels: the Danes got out to sea, and the 9 English ships were
too late to overtake them. But a foul wind assailed the
victorious Danes and cast two of their ships on shore:
the crews were taken, brought before the king, and hanged
at Winchester: but those who were in the third ship,
landed, much crippled, in East-Anglia.

In that same year, 20 ships with their crews were cast
away round the northern coasts.

these were sent out to sea, the king ordered them to take alive all they could, and to slay the Wherefore it came to pass that 20 ships of Danish pirates were taken alive in that same year; of whom some were slain, some brought alive to the king, and hanged on the gallows.

898.

899.

In the year 899

This year died Ælfred, son Alfred, truly so called, a man
of Ethulf, six days before most strenuous in all things
All-Hallowmass [Ocт. 26]. in battle, and the noble king
He was king over the whole of the West-Saxons, but pru-
English nation, except that dent and religious and most
part which was under the wise, this year, to the great
dominion of the Danes; and
sorrow of all his people, went
he held the kingdom one the way of all flesh, on the
year and a half less than 7th before the calends of
thirty years. And then November [OCT. 26] in the
Edward his son succeeded to 29 and half 'th year of his
the kingdom.

900.

Florence

Heahstan bishop of London died; to whom succeeded Theodred. Eardulf bishop of Lindisfarne died, to whom succeed the religious Cuthard.

901.

That famous, warlike, victorious [KING]; the zealous protector of widows, pupils, orphans, and poor; skilled in the Saxon poets; dear to his own race, affable and liberal to all; endued with prudence, fortitude, justice, and temperance; most patient under the infirmity, which he daily suffered; a most discreet inquisitor in executing justice; vigilant and devoted in the service of God; Alfred king of the

Angul-Saxons, son of the pious king Atheluulf; having reigned 29 years and 6 months, died, in the 4th Indiction, on Wednesday the 6th before the calends of November, [OCT. 27], and was buried at Winchester in the New Minster, where with the just he awaits a glorious

resurrection.

reign in the 51st year of his
age, Indiction 6. He was
buried becomingly and with
kingly honour in the royal
city of Winchester, in the
church of St Peter prince of
the apostles. His tomb also
is still extant, made of the
most precious porphyry
marble.

For he had translated into his own language, out of Latin, unnumbered volumes, of so varied a nature, and so excellently, that the sorrowful book of Boethius seemed, not only to the learned, but even to those who heard it read, as it were,

brought to life again. The monarch died on the seventh day before the feast of All Saints [Ocт. 25], and his body rests in peace in

the city of Winton. Pray, O reader, to Christ our Redeemer, that he will save his soul!

Simeon

King Elfred died when he

had reigned 28 years. To whom succeeded his son

Edward, who had been diligently admonished by his father especially to honour

Saint Cuthbert. Bishop Eardulf also died in Cunceceastre, wither he had transferred the body of Saint Cuthbert; with which he had fled during 9 years from place to place, in much hardship, and went before the of the pagans. army To whom succeeded Cutheard in the bishopric.

Innate nobility hath given thee honour,
Brave Alfred; and thy honour hath brought toil,
Thy toil hath given thee lasting reputation.
Joy mixed with grief was thine, hope blent with fear,
When victor, thou didst fear to fight o' the morrow;
Beaten, wast ready for tomorrow's fight,

Some of the MSS. of Asser re-
cord, in a note written by a later
hand, that king Alfred died on the
26th of October, A. D. 900, in the thir-
tieth of his reign "The different
dates assigned to the death of Al-
fred." says Sir Francis Palgrave,
"afford a singular proof of the un-
certainty arising from various modes
of computation. The Saxon Croni-
cle and Florence of Worcester agree
in placing the event in 901. The
first six nights before All Saints; '
the last, with more precision, Indic-
tione quarta, et Feria quarta, 5 Cal. Nov.' Simeon of Durham, in 899,
and the Saxon Chronicle, in another passage, in 900. The concurrents
of Florence of Worcester seem to afford the greatest certainty, and
the date of 901 has therefore been preferred."

Thy robes dropp'd sweat, thy sword dropp'd blood, and shewed,
How heavy task it was to be a king.

Through all earth's climes none but thyself e'er lived,
With power to breathe' neath such calamities.
Defeat ne'er struck the sword from his hand's grasp,
Nor could the sword cut short his thread of life.
But now his toils of life and rule are done,
And may Christ give him rest and rule for ever.

II.

SKETCH OF

THE ANGLO-SAXON MINT.

Although the researches of English and Continental Antiquaries prove the very close resemblance in many respects between the manners and customs of the Franks and the Anglo-Saxons, one vast difference is clearly apparent; namely, the constitution of their mints. While the coinage of the Franks consisted, for the far greater part, of gold, that of our Anglo-Saxon forefathers, with the exception of the styca of copper, struck in the mints of Northumbria only, consisted almost exclusively of silver, of which the sole denominations that have come down to us, are the penny and the half-penny, very few specimens, however, of the latter being known.

Ruding, in his Annals of the coinage of Great Britain, has the following remarks: "Those, who deny that the Saxons possessed any knowledge of the art of coinage before they landed in Britain, will find it extremely difficult to point out the source from whence they derived it after their arrival; for the Anglo-Saxon money bears not, either in form, type or weight, the least resemblance to those coins which at that time were the current specie of this Island."

After observing that "the barbarous workmanship of the British coins could not have excited their attention," he expresses his surprise that the Britons should have continued their own rude method of coining "in preference to the beautiful specimens of Roman art, which were constantly before their eyes.”

Essays

17